Reviews > Shows

Keith Kenny and Joe Gallant, Riverside Inn, Cranford, NJ- 6/26

On June 26 Keith Kenny performed a Live Global Webcast Concert last night, via HomegrownRadioNJ.org. The venue was The Riverside Inn (aka “The Dive”) in Cranford, NJ. Keith invited veteran Jam Rock icon Joe Gallant (Glowing Skull Ring / Illuminati Project ) for a completely unrehearsed, spontaneous jam session. Joe enthusiastically accepted the invitation, and brought his 6 string bass to bear with electric results. “I heard Keith’s music on his website and [I] instantly got it !”, stated Gallant. He continued “I think [Keith] is way overdue for amazing exposure, I think this is going to be a big year for him.”

A fluid jam session ensued with a dual pyrotechnic instrumental base, supporting great original song structures composed by Keith Kenny, such as his signature tunes “Technology,” “Neck Hurts”, and brand new songs like “Love Will Go The Distance” and “And The Light Came Blaring In”, the title track from Keith’s newest CD. The duo performed a few choice covers, ranging from Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Rude Mood,” ‘Pride & Joy” and a heretofore unheard of Kenny treatment of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.” Keith also tackled Led Zeppelin’s “Bron Y’aur Stomp” by himself.

HomegrownRadioNJ.org DJ Bob O’Donnell (DJ Easy Wind) said “Watching Keith & Joe play together, I had a revelation that they are actually a power trio with only two guys.” In addition to a 6-axe array of guitars and banjos, Keith played his trusty red customized Samsonite suitcase with kick pedal attached as his bass drum, along with a second regular bass drum. Keith commented that this might be the last appearance of Ol’ Red, as he is currently modifying a “new” replacement Suitcase Drum, as “Ol’ Red” goes into retirement after nearly a decade on the road in venues as varied as The Stone Pony in Asbury Park to DeBarra’s in Clonakilty, Ireland. Riverside Inn owner Peter “Jake” Jacobs said “The world needs more people like Keith Kenny”.

Reflecting on the debut Duo performance of this “meeting of musical minds”, Joe Gallant said “ I’m just really entranced. I think Keith has something very unique. It’s storytelling, it’s swampy, it’s very bluesy, but.even more than the aesthetics, technically… it’s this amazing Fripp-ian [20] foot-pedal board…he’s incredible. He’s a real crafstman.”